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catalogue : surfboard fins
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the
catalogue : surfboard fins
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Some of the difficulties
associated with a "technical" analysis of fin performance are noted in:
Anthony Livanos
(Faculty of Engineering University of Western Australia):
Computational
Fluid Dynamics Investigation of Two Surfboard Fin Configurations.
.members.iinet.net.au/~livanos/CFD_report/Report.doc
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circa 1934
Tom Blake's Nub - Keel Fin solid timber 2 x 12 b @ 4 inches (Approximation) Tom Blake's first fin with Big Surf Handle Photograph and hand written caption by Tom Blake. Surfer Magazine,
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circa 1935
Nub Fin/ Keel Tom Blake solid timber 2 x 12 b @ 6? inches (Approximation) Photograph: Bjorn DeBoer :
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circa 1943,
Tom Blake Twin fins, Timber 4 x 12 b @ 2 inches (Approximation) Hollow timber board. Note fin camber. The feet are Tom Blake's. Uncredited photograph,
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1942
Keel Fin - Pacific Systems Homes Redwood - varnished 2 x 14 b @ 3 inches (approximation) Waikiki Surf Board Model Pacific Systems Homes Inc, L.A. California Spencer and Annette Croul Collection
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1946
- 1947
Simmons' Radius Fin - Rounded Keel Wood and fibreglass 6 x 12 b @ 2 inches (approximation) Bob Simmons' Laminate Board, USA. Hoffman collection
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1948
Simmons' Twin Fin Wood and fibreglass 6 x 12 b @ 2 inches (approximation) Bob Simmons' Laminate Board, USA. Dick Metz Collection, Dana Point, California.
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| 1949
Simmons' Twin Fin Wood and fibreglass 7 x 10 b @ 3 inches (approximation) Bob Simmons' Balsa Board, USA. Note concave tail section. Hoffman Collection. Blackburn, page 77 |
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1949
Simmons' Radius Fin - Rounded Keel Koa Wood and fibreglass 3 1/2 x 13 1/2 b inches Surfer Magazine
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circa 1949
'Hot Curl' Laminated Fin Laminated timber and fibreglass 7 x 6 1/2 b @ 1 1/2 inches. Pod 8 1/2'' Warringah Surf Permit 1960-1961 : #1099 23. HOT CURL SURFBOARD / SOLID TIMBER
- approx. 10', late 1940's, replica fin taken from the original (recently
broken)...
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circa 1950
Timber Addition 8 x 10 b @ 0 inches (Approximation) Fixed to board, if not laminated, by fibreglass. Possibly added post production to a solid timber board. Note broken tip. USA Photograph :Bjorn DeBoer
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1953
Simmons' Removable (Wedge fit into channel) Marine Plyood 4 1/2 x 6 (b) inches Surfer Magazine
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1955
Butterfly Fin Laminated Timber 8 x 7 b @ 4 inches (Approximation) Velsy-Jacobs Surfboards USA Futuristic in template and concept Revived 1978 Photograph : Bob Meistrell
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circa 1957
Wood fin, 8 x 9 b @ 1 inches (Approximation) Okinuee - Hollow malibu board adaptation. Note base support and nails. Brisbane Australia, Darryl Homan collection
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1959
D Fin Laminated Timber ? 8 x 9 b @ 0 inches (Approximation) Very ealy foam (polystyrene?) Malibu board by McDonagh Surfboards Red 1961-2 Surfcraft registration, Warringah Council (Northern Beaches), Sydney. |
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1960
Roger "The Duck" Keiran Fin and Wedge Finbox Wood fin 11'' x 4 1/4'' base x 8'' span (height actually 13'' but allowance for fin box insertion). Fin box, fibreglass 7'' x 2 1/2'' and 1 1/2'' deep. Note that the fin base and finbox lengths are not consistent and the fin maybe a replacement. Images courtesy of Mick Mock, Sydney Surf Auction 2010, Catalogue #103. |
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1960
Downing Gun Fin Wood and fibreglass 10 x 8 b @ 2 inches (approximation) George Downing Surfboards, Hawaii. Ed and Randi Economy Collection
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1960
Rounded D fin laminated fibreglass 8 x 10 b @ 1 inches (Approximation) Note in timber fin stringer and decals. Greg Noll Surfboards USA Photograph :Don Blanch
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1960
Rounded D fin Laminated chop-strand mat Red pigment Australia 8 x 10 b @ 1/2 inches (Approximation) |
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1960
Square fin Laminated Ash and Walnut, Fibreglass 8 x 8 b @ n/a inches (Approximation) Cary B. Weiss Collection
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1960
Popout (Square) fin Molded polypropelene 9 x 89b @ n/a inches (Approximation) Designed by Gerry Williamson for Malibu Plastics, USA. Aluminum box The fin was removable, floated and designed to release if heavy contact. The design was used in Australia by Dunlop Surfboards, circa 1964, see below. Photograph :Uncredited
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| Dunlop Surfboards
Qld ? 1962 Dunlop fin box, circa 1963. Vary the fin to different surfs.
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1960
Greenough Laminated fibreglass Dimensions? George Greenough's second fin circa 1960, on a balsa kneeboard built 1959... "wood shop at school...the first flexible, high aspect ratio fin I tried." Originally the board had a conventional fin of the period. Photograph & Quotes: George Greenough, The Australian Surfer's Journal Volume 2 No 2 Autumn 1999 pages 82-84. |
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1962
Greenough Twin Fins Laminated fibreglass Dimensions? |
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1963
Square Fin laminated fibreglass, yellow resin stripe decor. JohnSaffron Surfboards |
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1963
D Fin laminated red wood and balsa with thin glass bead. 8 1/4 x 10 b @ 2 inches # 24 Balsa Malibu |
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1963
Early Cutaway or Dorsal or Dolphin fin. Chop strand mat 9 1/2 x 12 b @ 0 inches Surf Craft Sticker Red Surfcraft permit 1986-1969 #1540. Randwick Council (Southern Beaches), Sydney Crude fin with extended base to tail. #120 Shane Surfboards |
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1964
Reverse D. Reverse/Phil/Pixie Fin 10 1/2 x 9 b @ 9 inches Laminated 10oz cloth. Set at the tail step. #190 King Surfboards Step Tail |
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1964
Rounded D fin 9 x 19 b @ 2 inches (Approximation) |
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1964
D fin Multi timber laminate Resin Bead 9 x 19 b @ 2 inches (Approximation) McDonagh Surfboards |
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1964
Twin Keel Fins, Pigmented chop strand mat Minimal foiling 4 1/2 x 9 1/2 b @ 1 inches # 50 Barry Bennett Surfboards Belly board , |
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1964
Dorsal, Laminated fibreglass Deep foiling at rear near base 9 x 10 1/2 b x 13 1/22 s @ 3 1/2 inches Barry Bennett Surfboards , |
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1964
Bat Fin Laminated fibreglass 8 x 11 b @ 3 inches (Approximation) Dave Sweet Surfboards USA Photograph : Don Balch
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1964
Tunnel Fin Originally by Richard Deese. -Thanks to Paul D. Gross Image - Hustler Fin Laminated fibreglass 8 x 18 b @ 6 inches ??? (Approximation) Ski & Dive (Surfboards) USA Photograph : Don Balch
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1964
Greenough Laminated fibreglass Dimensions? Velo Balsa Spoon Fin circa 1964. The board was built in 1962, originally as "a twin fin, but as time went on, I moved the fins closer together, and it kept working better and better. Eventually, it turned into a single fin!" Photograph & Quotes: George Greenough, The Australian Surfer's Journal Volume 2 No 2 Autumn 1999 pages 84, 86 and 87. |
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1965
Gun fin Checkered timber laminate with deep glass bead 7 x 13 b @ 8 inches (Approximation) Flippy Hoffman's personal board Dewey Weber Surfboards, USA Photograph :Bjorn DeBoer
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1965
Noserider (Nuuihwa adaptation?) Two colour laminated fibreglass 91/2 x 11 b @ 2 inches # 87 Gordon & Smith (Australia) Surfboards Noserider |
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1965
Greenough Stage I Laminated fibreglass 10 x 7 b @ 2 inches (approximation) First fin (left) by George Greenough fitted to a conventional surfboard, early 1965. The board (approximately 9 ft, probably a Hayden) was shaped and/or ridden by Algie Grud. The fin on the right is common for the period. Photograph & Notes: George Greenough,
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1965
RennieYater Fin by Tom Morey's Skeg Works Polypropelene 8 x 9 1/2 b @ n/a inches (Approximation) Advertisement for Tom Morey Skeg Works
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1965
Fin Stabilizer (on D fin) ??? 8 x 9 1/2 b @ n/a inches (Approximation) One of several experiments encouraged by Tom Morey's Noseriding Contest at Ventura in July 1965. Unaccredited.
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1965
Offset Fin Boxes (additional control skegs) Polypropelene 8 x 9 1/2 b @ n/a inches (Approximation) Another experiment encouraged by Tom Morey's Noseriding Contest. Unaccredited. Bill Cleary: "Nose Riding - A sport within a sport." Surfer Magazine, November 1965, Volume 6 Number 5, page 33. |
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1965
Yater #2 Polypropelene 8 x 9 1/2 b @ n/a inches (Approximation) Note Wonder Bolt at fin base - a stainless steel capstan that tightened against the rear of of a fin box. C. R. Steck Collection
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1965
Hatchet fin by Weber 7x 11 b @ 5 inches (Approximation)
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1965
Hynson Dorsal - Red fin Laminated fibreglass 9 x 9 b @ 4inches (Approximation) Gordon and Smith Surfboards USA Alan Seymour, Pacfic Coast Vintage Auctions
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1965
Straightback Laminated fibreglass 10 1/2 x 10 1/2 b x 10 1/2 s @ 4inches Scott Dillon Surfboards |
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1966
Dorsal - Dolphin Red pigment laminated fibreglass. 9 x10 b @ 3 inches. Slight foiling to rear edge. Australian copy of Hynson Dorsal (Red Fin) Gordon and Smith Surfboards USA #169 Barry Bennett Surfboards |
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1966
Flow-thru Fin Laminated fibreglass 10x 10 b @ 1 inches ??? (Approximation) White Owl Surfboards USA Photo: Don Balch
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1966
Tiger tail fin Laminated fibreglass 12 x 8 b @ 5 inches (Approximation) Tiger Espere Greek Surfboards USA Photo: Don Balch
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1966
Weber Turbo Fin Laminated fibreglass ? 11'' x 5'' b @ 4 inches (Approximation) Factory Powered by Weber Noserider Model Weber Surfboards USA Image cropped from
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1966
Nuuhiwa Noserider Fin Laminated fibreglass 8 x 10 b @ 2 inches (Approximation) Nuuhiwa Noserider Model Bing Surfboards USA Hoffman Collection
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1966
Hobie Bolt-Thru Molded Polypropylene 10 x 10 b @ 1 inches ??? (Approximation) Removable fin that is fixed by a bolt in the deck. Precursor to to Tuttle Sailboard fin box system. Corky Carroll Flexible Model Hobie Surfboards USA |
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1966
da Cat fin Molded ABS 8 x 8 b @ n/a inches (Approximation) Micki Dora da Cat Model Greg noll Surfboards, USA Base tounge and indent to lock into corresponding fin box. C. R. Steck Collection
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1966
Greenough Laminated fibreglass 10' x 8" base Velo SS MKII fin 1966. 10' x 8" base Photograph? and Notes: Paul Gross: "Far-out Flexible Surfboard - Wave of the Future ?" The Australian Surfer's Journal Volume 1 No 4 Spring1998 page 18. |
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1966
Midget Farrelly Fathead 12 1/2" x 8" base @ 7 1/2'', Laminated fibreglass. Catalogue #00000350
Midget was supplying a variation on this
design in 1995.
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1967
Greenough Laminated fibreglass Dimensions? Surfboard flex fin 1967. Board shaped?/ridden by Danny Hazard. Photographs : Al Lees, Notes : George Greenough. Moving Forward A Greenough Scrapbook : 1960 - 1970 The Australian Surfer's Journal Volume 2 No 2 Autumn 1999 page 73. |
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1967
UFO Laminated fibreglass 12 x 7 b @ 5 inches (Approximation) Rick Surfboards, USA Photo: Don Balch
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1967
G &S Hy-Performance (Mike Hyson) Gordon and Smith Surfboards, USA - thanks to Paul D. Gross Laminated fibreglass 11 1/2 x 11 b @ 9 1/2 inches # 26 Gordon and Smith (Australia) Vee Bottom |
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1967
F fin Laminated fibreglass 12 x 4 b @ 9 inches (Approximation) Richard Harvey (Crusader Model?) Ron Wade Surfboards ? Richard Harvey interview
Margan and Finney, page 167 |
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1967
Eliminator fin Laminated fibreglass 12 x 7 b @ 6 inches (Approximation) Eliminator Model Greek Surfboards USA |
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1968
Greenough Laminated fibreglass Dimensions? Surfboard flex fin 1968. Board shaped by George Greenough, ridden by Terry Keys. Probably Wilderness Surfboards. Photograph and Notes : George Greenough, The Australian Surfer's Journal Volume 2 No 2 Autumn 1999 page 72. |
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1968
Greenough Stage III ? Dappled fibreglass laminate 13 1/2 x 8 b @ 9 1/2 inches #107 WM Surfboards Pin Tail Vee Bottom |
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1968
Finger fin Fibreglass laminate 9 x 6 1/2 b @ 9 1/2 inches #111 Scott Dillon Pin tail Probably not the original fin. |
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1968
Butterfly fin by Scott Dillon Fibreglass laminate Estimation: 9 x 6 1/2 b @ 9 1/2 inches Scott Dillon convex bottom, ridden by Dr.
Robert Spence.
Surfing World
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1968
Flex fin Fibreglass laminate 10 1/2 x 9 1/2 b x 15 s @ 10 inches #303 Hayden Surfboards Pin tail Internal rovings. |
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1969
Skipp Frye's New-e-free fins Waveset fin box (?) Surfing Magazine, circa 1969. Page 31. |
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1969
Greenough Stage III - Wave Set Laminated fibreglass Dimensions? Molded. Tapered wedge base, fixed by two screws, into nuts set in the molded box. Greenough Stage IV by Wave Set Fins, circa 1970. Photograph : George Greenough, Notes : Paul Gross Moving Forward A Greenough Scrapbook : 1960 - 1970 The Australian Surfer's Journal Volume 2 No 2 Autumn 1999 page 73. |
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1969
Safe Set Fin (Large) and Box Molded Plastic 11 x 8 1/2 b @ 10 inches #69 Keyo Tracker |
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1969
Safe Set Fin (Small) and Box Molded Plastic 8 1/2 x 7b @ 9 1/2? inches Possibly re-shaped #67 Surf Design Mini Gun Dick van Straalen |
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1969
Farrelly Surfboards Image contributed with thanks by Eric Bayliss, September 2007. |
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1969
Egg Pivot Fin 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 b @ 5 inches #45 Geoff McCoy Egg Keyo Surfboards |
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1969
Side Slipper Fin and Box 8 3/4'' x 6'' b @ 6 1/2 inches Molded black plastic Notched Fin box with plastic clip lock #217 Side Slipper Keyo Surfboards |
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1969
Adjustable fin and fin box with fore and rear locking clips. Burfrord Surfboards, South Australia. Contributed, with thanks by Mike Brown, Adelaide, January 2007. Mike noted The Burford fin box and fin has no stampings. I reckon Don had these made up. My Arnold/Lynch boards which have the same setup are identical, but some fins have 'Made in Australia', others haven't. |
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1970
Adjustable Fin and slotted wedge fin box. Fin : 8 1/2" x 6''b x 9 1/2'' span Black, molded "glass filled nylon". Rear post-production legrope hole. Finbox : 12'' @ 5 1/2'' Image below. When new, the system used several plastic locking clips that filled the exposed section, see above. The fin and box probably manufactured by Simplex Fins, South Australia. Advertising image and text below. Probably copied from a Waveset (USA) design circa 1968. The design was short lived and was replaced with the universally adopted Bahne box. |
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1970
Simplex I Fin system. "No bolts, keys or any hardware. So simple, the fin can be changed in seconds. The precision box allows six positions over a five inch adjustment span. Three fin shapes in glass filled nylon, colours green, blue, red, yellow, white and black. SIMPLEX Fin Systems 142 Gawler Place, Adelaide, 5000 Phone 23 5505" Surf International Volume 3 Number 3, circa 1970. Page 2. |
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1970
Simplex II Fin system. " SIMPLEX Fin Systems 142 Gawler Place, Adelaide, 5000 Phone 23 5505" Surf International Volume 3 Number 3, circa 1970. Page 2. |
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1970
D fin - Coolite Timber Adaption. Timber |
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1970
Greenough Stage IV - Wave Set Molded. Dimensions? Segmented base that slotted into a molded box and fixed by clips. See Twin fin I 1971, below.. Greenough Stage IV by Wave Set Fins, circa 1970. Photograph : George Greenough, Notes : Paul Gross Moving Forward A Greenough Scrapbook : 1960 - 1970 The Australian Surfer's Journal Volume 2 No 2 Autumn 1999 page 73. |
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1970
Guidance Fin System : Twin fin I Unknown constuction 5 x 7 b @ n/a inches (Approximation) Note the symetric foil. Photo: Don Balch
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1970
Twin Fin 1 Fibreglass Left : 6 1/4 x 4 b @ 5 1/2 inches. Right : 6 3/4 x 4 b @ 5 1/2 inches. Clear laminate with fin patch High aspect Greenough Toed in to nose, but tip-out not symetric, probably due to non-expert repairs Note the fins, probably original, have been heavily damaged, possibly trimed and reinforced. #134 Farrelly Surfboards |
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230 Harbord Road, Brookvale 2100, NSW, Phone 939-1724. This is the first
removable,
sliding
fibreglass fin unit in Australia.
Surfing World
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1971
Surf ski fin and fin box Fin features a segmented base that slots into a molded box, and clicks back to lock. This example is missing the plastic clips that close the slot. Australian version of the Guidance Fin System - see above. Molded plastic. 5 1/2'' x 6'' b x 0'' span @ n/a inches Symmetric foil. |
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Image right - male notched
fin base.
Close up fin base, note MADE IN AUST. |
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Fin box 12 inches.
Image left - molded female box Close up of slots in fin box. |
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1971
Greenough Stage IV Fibreglass laminate 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 b @ 6 inches #44 Hutchinson Surfboards |
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1971
Twin Fin 1 Red pigment chop stand mat, 5 3/4 x 4 b @ 4 inches Tipped, Toed, note standard foil - not asymmetric #71 Walsh Surfboards |
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1971
Twin fin I Multi colour laminate fibreglass 7 x 4 b @ 4 inches (approximation) #106 Pat Morgan Surfboards |
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1971
Tri fin Laminated fibreglass Centre fin : 5 layer laminated fibreglass 8 1/2 x 6 b @ 4 1/2 inches Side fins : 5 layer laminated fibreglass 3/4 x 2 b @ 6 1/2 inches #211 Shaped by Dan Calohan Plastic Fantastic Surfboards, USA |
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1971
Tri fin Three way fibreglass laminate Single fin fixed in internal fin box. 8 x 6 b @ 5 inches Two wide base side fins 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 b @ 8 inches #9 Bob McTavish Tri Fin Bennett Surfboards |
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1971
Internal fin box. Fibreglass laminate Single fin fixed in internal fin box. Barry Bennnett Surfboards, circa 1971. Estimated : 8 x 6 b @ 5 inches
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1972
Pat Morgan Keel fin , (second generation?) Three layer laminate, white , mauve, white 9'' x 13 3/4'' base x 0'' span. @ 3'' Thin with light foil on trailing edge. |
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1972
Pat Morgan Keel fin , (second generation?) Two layer laminate, white and mauve 10'' x 14'' base x 0'' span. @ 3'' (estimated) Thin with light foil on trailing edge. Image supplied by George of Geelong, November 2009. |
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1971
Tri fin Fibreglass laminate Single fin 8" x 6" base @ 5 1/2 inches - green laminate Post production two wide base side fins 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" @ 12 1/4 inches - white. |
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1972
Tri fin Fibreglass laminate Single fin, with legrope hole. 8 x 4 b x 8 span @ 5 inches (estimated) Two wide base side fins 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 b @ 13 inches (estimated) Dolphin Surfboards
Image emailed by George from Adelaide, October 2008. |
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1972
Rubber fin 6 1/2 x 4 1/2 b @ 8 inches Fixed through board with wedges, shown. #34 Coolite Midget Farrelly Surfboards |
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1973
Bonzer fins Original design by Cambell Bros. USA Centre fin : black and clear laminate 7 1/2 x 5 1/2 b @ 6'' Bonzer / Keel fins : blue/white/blue laminate 2 x 9 1/2 b @ 12'' #180 South Coast Surfboards |
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1973
Pipeliner fin Plastic molded fin in fin box for a juvenile board, approximately 5ft 4''. No dimensions. Fin image forwarded by Sammy S., October 2011. |
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1974
Weber S/b Bonzer Centre fin box : 8 inch @ 4 1/2'' Centre fin : Moulded wide base, thick profile, rear fin tab. 7 1/2 x 5 1/2 b @ n/a inches Bonzer / Keel fins : 2 1/2" x 9 1/2'' base @ 9'' Not toed in, parrallel to stringer. Tipped out at 45 degrees Thin, not foiled. Clear laminated. #198 Weber Surfboards, USA |
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1974
Mike Hynson Dolfin Fibreglass and decoration 8 x 8 b @ n/a inches (Approximation) USA Base tounge at rear C. R. Steck Collection
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1974
Carabine Kneeboard Fin & Aluminium fin box Fin 8'' x 3 1/2'' base x 10'' span @ n/a Aluminium fin box 15 1/2'' by Wakefield Surfboards Granville NSW Dimensions and photographs at
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1975
Tetty Fizgerld Design: P/N TF.1 PO Box 93 Byron Bay NSW Australia Height: 8'' |
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1975
Crozier Kneeboard Fin & Flex tail Fin 8'' x 3 1/2'' base x 10'' span @ n/a ??? Fin box 15 1/2'' ??? Photograph supplied
with thanks by
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1976
Dick Brewer Wide base Blue laminated fibreglass 8 x 5 1/2 b @ 7 inches #25 McCoy Surfboards |
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1977
Mark Richards' Twin fin II Three colour laminated fibreglass 6 x 5 b @ 7 inches #40 Mark RichardsSurfboards Twin fin |
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1977
Michael Cundith Slotted Twin fin II Estimate - 6 x 5 b @ 7 inches Sky Surfboards, Byron Bay. Photograph : Don Blach. Surfer Magazine, June 1978. Volume 19 Number 2 page 62. |
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1979
Star Systems Twin fins, Mark Richards Model Gordon and Smith Surfboards (USA) Surfing Magazine May 1979.
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1978
Butterfly Fin Molded plastic Fin box. 6 x 5 b @ n/a inches??? Honey Surf, Gerringong NSW Previous version Velsy-Jacobs Surfboards, USA circa 1955. #73 No.1 Gordon and Smith Lazor Zap |
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1980
Peter Drouyn Asymmetic Fins Photograph : Jeff Hornbaker. Surfing Magazine, September 1980 Vol 19 Number 9 Page 87 |
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1980
Winged Keel/ Starfin Molded plastic Fin box. 6 x 5 b @ n/a inches??? Ben Lexan/Cheyne Horan . #73 No.2 Gordon and Smith Lazor Zap See... http://www.cheynehoran.com.au/starfin.html |
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1980
X fin Scott Bucknell, Race Surfboards, Hawaii Photo:Jim Russi FROM WHERE? |
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1981
Thruster laminated fibreglass 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 b @ n/a inches??? Design by Simon Anderson. #95 Energy Surfboards Thruster |
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1981
Peter Townend Bi - Fin Bronzed Aussie Surfboards/ G & S Surfboards Asymmetrical board template and corresponding asymmetric fin placement. Surfer Magazine,October 1981 Volume 22, Number 10, page 42. Photograph : Guy Motil See... : Peter Townend : Two, Two, Two Boards in One (Bi-fin.) SURFING Magazine, June 1981 Volume 17 Number 6 Page 27. Bob McTavish : The Asymmetric Story Seanotes Magazine, 1978 |
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1981
Omni Fin (Uncredited) Plastic Surfer Magazine,October 1981 Volume 22, Number 10, page 43. Photograph : Michael Hicks " The Omnifoil consists of a bracket which attaches to the rear of the fin box, and suspends two diamond-shaped foils. These foils may be easily adjusted upward or downward to create tail lift or bite. The upward position makes for a hydrofoil effect, allowing the tail to ride higher in the water. The downward adjustment works in the opposite manner, acting essentially the same as a bigger fin for use in big or choppy waves. The asymmetrical positioning of the foils to enhance certain types of backside and frontside turns, is presently being explored." Precedent by Mike Dolye & Rusty Miller, circa 1967. |
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circa 1982
Multi Fins (Uncredited) Laminated fibreglass, fixed and boxed. Surfing Magazine, March, 1990 Volume 26 Number 3, Page 102. Included in an article titled
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1982
Jet-wing Thurster Fins. Nat Young Surf Design Image contributed with thanks by Eric Bayliss, October 2008. |
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1984
Jet-wing Quad Fins. Ocean Rhythm Surfboards, Raglan New Zealand. Image contributed with thanks by Muzza, June 2013.. |
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1984
Quad Fins. Horizon Surfboards. Image contributed with thanks by Muzza, June 2013.. |
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1985
Express Kneeboard Quad or Four Fin. #206 Following the success of Simon Anderson's Thruster in 1981, several variations in fin placement and size were tried, one being the Four fin by Glen Winton from the Central Coast, NSW circa 1981. (Nat Young's Fundamentals, Page 102). |
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1985
Friar Tuck Kneeboard 4 Fin (Quad) #343 White laminated fibreglass 5 1/4 x 5 3/4 base x 7 1/2 inch span Fitted with rear fin cams. Dion Chemicals 10 inch Fin boxes @ 14 inches. White laminated fibreglass 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 base x 4 inch span. Dion Chemicals 6 1/2 inch Fin boxes @ 21 1/2 inches Fitted with front fin screws - brand? |
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1986
Thruster with centre fin box #31 |
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1987
Wing Fin Molded plastic Thruster centre fin by Multifins Fin box. |
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1987
Zip Fin Molded plastic Thruster centre fin by Multifins Fin box. |
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1987
Turbo Fin Molded plastic Thruster centre fin by Multifins Fin box. |
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1987
Ski Fin Molded plastic Thruster centre fin by Multifins Commonly used on wave skis. Fin box. |
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1986
Quad Split Wing Assymetric Molded plastic by Multifins Quad fins Fin boxes. Image supplied, with thanks, by John Mattes, July 2009. |
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1986
Split Wing Assymetric Molded plastic Thruster side fins by Multifins Fin box. |
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1988
Fin Cam Finger adjustable fin screw. |
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1990
FCS removable fins and plugs # 81
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1995
Malibu Tri Fins Glassed plywood centre fin. All fins boxed. |
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1995
Midget Farrelly Fathead Laminated fibreglass and cloth Fin box. |
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1998
Swivell Fin Available in four sizes (115,110,100 & 85mm) Molded plastic, Adjustable Fin Plug.  |
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1999
Tom Wegner Laminated fibreglass and timber Pigmemnted glass bead Matching tail block |
| 2002
Kym Thompson Cutaway Laminated fibreglass Pigment and cloth. Fin box. |
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2004
Turbo Fin Molded Lexan resin Fin box. 9 1/2'' and 7 1/2'' models Note Weber Turbo Fin, circa 1966 - above. |
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2008
Alifin - Rabbit Ear, Butterfly fin. www.alifins.com.au Aluminium Two blades, each 4 1/2'' height x 4 1/4'' base x 6 1/2'' span. Depth 4''. Fin box. Also avaialble to fit FCS plugs. 9 cm, 10 cm and 12cm models. Note Velsey Rabbit Ear (circa 1955) and Honey Surf Butterfly Fin (circa 1978) - above. |
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Image left:
Alifin - Rabbit Ear, Butterfly fin, 2008. |
| home | catalogue | history | references | appendix |
Apparently there was some experimentation
was during the solid wood era. but the most significant application was
experiments in the mid-1940's by George Downing and Wally Froiseth in Hawaii.
They made a test board with a removable
fin slot and rode it with different fin designs in different positions,
and
without a fin.
Their conclusion was that the finned board
had superior performance, virtually regardless of fin design.
(Kelly,
page 121)
The first production models appeared in
the early 1960’s in the USA.
Since many boxes were limited to the manufacturers'
sole fin design, the impetus to manufacture boxed boards was enhanced by
the cost advantages in freighting finless surfboards.
This was certainly a consideration for
the larger Californian manufacturers in the mid-1960's, for whom the East
coast was a major market.
At first fins were not universally interchangeable
as each manufacturer used a different locking system, but in in 1965 Tom
Morey at Morey-Pope Surfboards developed the TRAF system of
molded fins, available to a small number of Northern California board makers.
In 1966 the design was improved by the
introduction of thr Wonder Bolt system, again by Tom Morey.
In February 1968 Morey introduced the
Waveset
box
and a range of molded fins for general use.
This design was essentially copied by
the Safe Set system.
The most popular and significant fin designs
were by George Greenough who
produced three models - Stage I, III and IV.
In the late 1960's, continuing reductions
in board dimensions saw extensive fin design experimentation, with some
designers focusing on sideslipping, note Skipp Frye's New-e-free
fins, circa 1969.
The original Waveset box was too bulky
relative to the smaller boards and circa 1970 it was updated with a male
notched fin base slotting and locking into a molded female box.
This design was replicated by Guidance
Fin System and other manufacturers.
In 1971 Bill Bahne (USA) introduced his
Fins Unlimited fin box, that by 1974 was to become universally adopted
and replicated.
It is still in current use.
It's huge success was a direct result
of the box's ability to accept laminated fibreglass fins of a multitude
of designs.
Note that ...
- many riders considered the fibreglass
fins superior in performance to molded plastic.
- the fibreglass fins could be manufactured
by any experienced laminator.
- the fibreglass fins could be easily
reshaped and repaired.
- they were interchangable with boards
from different manufacturers.
In Australia in the early 1970's Bahne's
design was manufactured in fibreglass (see #83),
but this was shortlived as the large scale production of molded boxes substantially
reduced the unit price.
In 1974 an Australian company, Wakefield
Surfboards, unsuccessfully attempted to market an aluminium model.
With an expanding number of fin designs
in the late 1970's for kneeboards, waveskis and the twin-tin surfboard,
boxes were available in a variety of lengths to either fit small based
fins or allow maximum variation in fin placement.
Many Thruster designs of the early1980's
featured two fixed side fins and a short centre fin box to allow the rider
some variation in fin selection and placement.
In the 1980's the fin box was an important
feature of sailboard design.
They allowed extensive fin experimentation
and were also fitted into the deck as the mast track.
As surfboards became finer and thinner
in the late 1980's the use of fin boxes in shortboards almost disappeared,
but in the early 1990's a fin plug system for surfboards.was developed
(initially by FCS, subsequently by others).
Further developments in the 1990’s include
bolt-through boxes for sailboards (Tuttle, USA and others).
Updated May 2006, thanks to Nick Van Bruggen
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HEIGHT
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BASE
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SPAN
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@ (INCHES) FROM TAIL |
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